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Tag: Trai

  • Trai accommodates Prasar Bharati’s concerns on 5G auctions; overlooks private broadcasters

    Trai accommodates Prasar Bharati’s concerns on 5G auctions; overlooks private broadcasters

    Mumbai: Despite several requests from private broadcasters, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) seems to have overlooked their request in the much-awaited recommendation on the 5G spectrum auction released on Monday. The telecom regulator, however, has accommodated Prasar Bharati’s concerns regarding the auctioning of the 526-582 MHz frequency band being used by Doordarshan for providing terrestrial TV broadcasting.

    The private players had requested for an adequate guard band of 100MHz between the 3300-3670 MHz allocated to 5G and 3700-4200 MHz being used by them in accordance with the international telecommunication union (ITU) norms. 

    Trai has instead recommended the department of telecommunication (DoT) to ask the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to take appropriate action and sensitise the MSOs, DTH operators, and other users to ensure the use of high-quality bandpass filters operating in 3700-4200 MHz range to avoid interference from IMT stations.

    “As the IMT emissions in the 3300-3670 MHz may saturate the low noise block (LNB) of the fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth station which traditionally operates in the 3400-4200 MHz, there is a need to make use of high-quality bandpass filters operating in 3700-4200 MHz range,” a statement issued by Trai said. 

    ALSO READ | Broadcasters huddle up as 5G roll-out plan gathers pace

    Broadcasters claimed to have faced interference on downlink frequencies during the initial 5G trials, following which they raised the issue with the MIB, DoT, and WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of DoT), and the Trai. There were apprehensions around potential interference due to the larger C band allocation to 5G and the limited guard band of 30 MHz between the two services.

    “The 526-612 MHz frequency range should not be put in the forthcoming auction,” Trai recommended while stating the following reasons:

    (i)  Band plan(s) for the frequency range 526-612 MHz is yet to be defined by 3GPP/ITU.

    (ii)  Development of ecosystem for IMT in the 526-612 MHz frequency range will take some time.

    (iii)  MIB is using the 526-582 MHz band extensively across the country for TV transmitters.

    The telecom regulator has urged the DoT to come out with a plan for reframing the 526-582 MHz band to be utilised for IMT deployments. “To make 526-582 MHz band available for IMT, DoT should work with MIB to prepare a plan for an early migration from analogue to digital transmission, so that the frequency band from 526-582 MHz can be vacated for IMT services,” it said.

    Prasar Bharati had earlier argued that airwaves in the 526-582 MHz frequency band are required for the expansion and modernisation of its services. The public broadcaster had told Trai that “availability of spectrum is very crucial for planning DD TV Transmitters. Thus, the decision to use frequency band 470-698 for IMT purpose can be taken only after finalisation of terrestrial TV services by Doordarshan or other private broadcasters.”

    “Many analogue, digital-ready and digital terrestrial TV transmitters are operating in the band. Also, digital-ready transmitters are under installation in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir for which the wireless planning & coordination wing (WPC) has provided for in this band only,” it added.

    The DoT, through its letter dated 13 September 2021, requested Trai to furnish its recommendations on the auction of spectrum in the frequencies identified for international mobile telecommunications (IMT)/5G. The recommendations were sought on the applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, the quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz, and 24.25 – 28.5 GHz bands identified for IMT/5G in India.

    Except for 526-698 MHz, Trai has recommended that all available spectrum in the abovementioned bands be put to auction for 5G services.

  • Trai institutes mechanism for speedy implementation of its recommendations by DoT, MIB

    Trai institutes mechanism for speedy implementation of its recommendations by DoT, MIB

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has released its annual report for the year 2020-21. The report contains an overview of the broadcasting sector and a summary of the key initiatives of Trai on regulatory matters with specific reference to the functions mandated to it under the Act.

    Over the last few years, Trai has sent a number of recommendations to the department of telecommunications (DoT) and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) on important issues concerning the growth of broadcasting and cable services in the country. A number of these recommendations have been accepted during the period. “However, many of the important recommendations are still pending for decision/implementation by DoT and MIB which if implemented would have a significant positive impact on the sector,” the telecom regulator said.

    Important recommendations that have been accepted by MIB during the year 2020-21 and their likely impact on the sector are detailed below:

    (i) Recommendations on “Issues related to New DTH Licenses” were forwarded to the government on 23 July 2014. The implementation of these recommendations will ensure certainty and continuity of business and orderly growth of the DTH sector and will promote a level playing field. After acceptance of these recommendations by MIB, the amendments to DTH License guidelines were issued on 30 December 2020.

    (ii) Recommendations on “KYC of DTH Set Top Boxes” forwarded to the government on 24 October 2019 addressed the security concerns for use of DTH boxes outside the country as satellites have footprints beyond geographical boundaries. The acceptance and implementation of these Recommendations will result in standardisation of the verification process and will ensure installation of DTH connection at the address mentioned in CAF and will not load the industry/customer with unnecessary additional requirements and costs.

    (iii) Recommendations on “Platform Services offered by DTH Operators” forwarded to the government on 13 November 2019 addressed the issues of bringing platform services under a regulatory framework and providing transparent information to consumers about platform services. Amendments to DTH License guidelines have been issued by MIB on 30 December 2020 whereby DTH operators are permitted to operate platform services channels to a maximum of five per cent of their total channel carrying capacity.

    Recommendations forwarded to MIB that are still pending with the government as of 31 March 2021 are as follows:

    1.      Recommendations on restrictions on certain entities from entering the business of broadcasting and distribution of TV channels.

    2.      Recommendations on Issues related to radio audience measurement and ratings in India.

    3.      Recommendations on issues related to digital terrestrial broadcasting (DTT) in India.

    4.      Recommendations on sharing infrastructure in the TV broadcasting distribution sector.

    5.      Recommendations on issues related to digital radio broadcasting in India.

    6.      Recommendations on issues relating to uplinking and downlinking of television channels in India.

    7.      Recommendations on reserve price for auction of FM radio channels in new cities.

    8.      Recommendations on interoperability of set-top box.

    9.      Recommendations on review of television audience measurement and rating system in India.

    10.    Recommendations on a regulatory framework for platform services (PS) for MSO.

    The Trai felt that a periodic review of the implementation status of all recommendations of the authority should be done at the highest level. With an objective to put in place a mechanism whereby there is a periodic review of the implementation of pending recommendations of Trai in DoT/MIB and to create a central repository for real-time tracking of the status of all recommendations, the regulator has developed a recommendation status portal which can be accessed jointly by Trai, DoT, and MIB.

  • Reliance Jio loses 9.3 million wireless subscribers in January: Trai

    Reliance Jio loses 9.3 million wireless subscribers in January: Trai

    Mumbai: Telecom major Reliance Jio lost 9.3 million wireless subscribers at the end of January, as per subscription data released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). 

    Bharti Airtel added 714,199 wireless subscribers during the same period. Vodafone Idea and BSNL lost 389,082 and 377,520 wireless subscribers, respectively at the end of January, the data revealed.

    The total wireless subscribers decreased from 1,154.62 million to 1,145.24 million at the end of January. The wireless subscription in urban areas decreased from 633.34 million to 627.12 million. Similarly, rural subscriptions also declined from 521.28 million to 518.13 million during the same period.

    According to Trai, there were 1006.57 million active wireless subscribers in the month of January out of which Reliance Jio had 368.53 million, Bharti Airtel had 349.99 million, Vodafone Idea had 228.81 million and BSNL had 58.64 million active subscribers.

    During the month, as per information received from 616 broadband operators, Trai reported a decrease in broadband subscribers from 792.08 million to 783.43 million. Out of these, 26.65 million were wired subscribers, 755.66 million were wireless subscribers and 1.12 million were fixed wireless subscribers i.e., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Max, point-to-point radio, and VSAT.

    The top five broadband service providers constituted 98.46 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of January. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 411.23 million, Bharti Airtel at 210.75 million, Vodafone Idea at 121.08 million, BSNL at 26.25 million, and Atria Convergence at 2.04 million subscribers.

    The top five wired broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 4.83 million, Bharti Airtel at 4.33 million, BSNL at 3.90 million, Atria Convergence Technologies at 2.04 million, and Hathway Cable & Datacom at 1.10 million subscribers.

    The top five wireless broadband service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at 406.39 million, Bharti Airtel at 206.42 million, Vodafone Idea at 121.07 million, BSNL at 22.35 million, and Intech Online at 0.21 million subscribers.  

    The total number of telephone subscribers in India decreased from 1178.41 million to 1169.46 million. Urban telephone subscriptions decreased from 655.20 million to 649.38 million and rural subscriptions decreased from 523.21 million to 520.08 million.

    Wireline subscribers increased from 23.79 million to 24.21 million at the end of January.

  • Probe against Star India for alleged abuse of dominant position

    Probe against Star India for alleged abuse of dominant position

    Mumbai: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered a probe into the alleged abuse of dominant position by Star India. The complaint was filed by Asianet Digital Network against Star India, Disney Broadcasting (India), and Asianet Star Communications, said PTI in a news report.

    According to the complaint, Star India was providing a bouquet of channels to the competitor of the informant at lesser prices resulting into denial of market access and also amounting to unfair/discriminatory pricing.

    It chose an indirect way to provide these discounts to circumvent the New Regulatory Framework of Trai by way of promotion and advertisement payments to informant’s competitor through high valued advertising deals, the complaint alleged.

    “Therefore, on the basis of market share, dependence of consumers, size and resources of the enterprise (being part of global media conglomerate), vertical integration of the enterprise and countervailing power, the Commission is of prima facie view that OP-1 enjoy a position of dominance in the relevant market delineated supra,” it noted.

    The relevant market prima facie appears to be “market for provision of broadcasting services in the state of Kerala,” the regulator said.

    “The alleged discriminatory conduct of price discrimination between different multi-system operators of Star India has resulted into significant loss in the consumer base of the Informant and therefore prima facie appears to be in violation of the provisions of section 4 of the Competition Act, due to discriminatory pricing and denial of market access.”

    The section 4 pertains to abuse of dominant position.

    “Accordingly, the Commission directs the Director General (DG) to cause an investigation to be made into the matter and submit an investigation report within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of this order,” CCI said in an order dated 28 February.

    It further said that nothing in this order shall be tantamount to a final expression of opinion on the merits of the case, and the DG shall conduct the investigation without being swayed by the observations. Separately, the regulator has dismissed a plea of interim relief filed by the informant.

  • PMO wants 5G launch by 15 Aug; DoT seeks Trai recommendations

    PMO wants 5G launch by 15 Aug; DoT seeks Trai recommendations

    Mumbai: In view of the prime minister’s office (PMO) being keen on initial 5G launch by 15 August, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to expedite its recommendations on 5G spectrum auctions, possibly before March.

    “In response to decisions/action points emanating from deliberations of a monitoring group, PMO has requested DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by 15 August 2022, and also explore the possibility of obtaining requisite recommendations from Trai before March 2022,” said DoT.

    The telecom regulator is working on the DoT’s request for recommendation on modalities such as reserve price, band plan, block size and quantum of spectrum to be auctioned, that were earlier expected to come in by March-end.

    According to recent indications by the telecom department, 5G spectrum auctions are likely to be held in May. Telecom secretary K Rajaraman told news agency PTI that the DoT has already selected MSTC as the auctioneer for the upcoming auction.

    In light of revised spectrum availability in 900 Mhz and 800 Mhz as a result of vacations/surrenders by Indian Railways and GoI, the DoT has also requested Trai to examine the need to review channel plan in 800 Mhz band and number of spectrum blocks that can be made available for telecom services in 800 Mhz band while providing their recommendations in response to DoT’s reference dated 13.09.2021 regarding upcoming spectrum auctions.

    Airwaves in several bands including 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz, and 24.25-28.5 GHz have been identified for 5G auctions in India.

    Norms for 526-698 MHz and millimetre band (24.25 – 28.5 GHz) are being worked out even as the aviation and broadcasting industries in India, and globally have voiced concerns regarding possible interference in C band spectrum (3.7-4.2 GHz). Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has also raised an objection to the auctioning of 526-582 MHz frequency band that is being used by Doordarshan for providing terrestrial TV broadcasting.  

  • ARASU to pay deficit of Rs 138.7 cr to SPNI as per DAS audit : TDSAT order

    ARASU to pay deficit of Rs 138.7 cr to SPNI as per DAS audit : TDSAT order

    Mumbai: In a landmark ruling, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSA) has directed Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corp (TACTV) to pay Rs 138.75 cr to Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) for underreporting the subscriber base as revealed in the DAS audit, leading to financial loss to the broadcaster.

    The amount needs to be paid within two months from the issued order (16 February), said the Tribunal, posting the matter for further proceedings on 9 March. As per the order, the amount is 50 per cent of the original claim amount of Rs 277.58 cr sought by the broadcaster in its petition before the Tribunal in May 2021.

    According to the guidelines of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) pertaining to the NTO regime 2019, all distribution platform operators (DPOs) are required to conduct a Digital Addressable Audit (DAS) audit of their head-ends mandatorily once in a calendar year. The DPOs can choose any of the empanelled auditors listed by Trai for the purpose. In case of any DPO not conducting such audits, the broadcaster can conduct the same via the empanelled auditors for the said calendar year.

    In its petition before the Tribunal, SPNI had stated that TACTV ARASU had been consistently postponing the DAS audit. Despite several reminders by the SPNI distribution team, the distributor kept postponing the audit till November 2020 citing the Covid situation. Finally, the audit was done by the Trai empanelled audit agency- BDO India LLP in December 2020. As per the audit procedures, all the data extraction was done by the ARASU representatives along with the CAS/ SMS vendors in front of the auditors.

    The Auditors submitted the findings and reports to both ARASU and SPNI on 19 January 2021, which on careful analysis revealed that seven ARASU packs that had SPNI channels were not disclosed in the monthly subscriber reports (MSR’s) submitted to SPNI. “This amounts to piracy and under declaration of sub-bases led to a revenue impact for SPNI,” the broadcaster argued.

    Further, a close analysis of the CAS data recovered from 19 February till November 2020 revealed that two packs out of undisclosed seven packs carrying SPNI channels were available to the entire universe of 2.8 million subscribers of ARASU and again, none of these numbers was disclosed to SPNI in the Monthly MSR’s. According to the broadcaster, this has resulted in a huge financial accumulated outstanding impact month on month amounting to a value of Rs. 277.52 Crores, unpaid by ARASU.

    After receiving no response from ARASU despite several reminders, SPNI approached TDAST in May 2021 and submitted the entire case and a prayer for a hearing and resolution on this matter. After prolonged arguments and counter-arguments by the SPNI counsel represented by senior advocate Gopal Jain and Kunal Tandon, the Tribunal was convinced that ARASU has been underreporting the subscriber base due to which SPNI’s legitimate rightful monthly fee accrual was way below the actual rightful amount.

    “If 50 per cent of the amount indicated above is paid within two months, the petitioner (SPNI) shall not issue disconnection notice without seeking leave of the Tribunal,” the order stated.

  • Broadcasters to withdraw petitions challenging Trai on NTO 2.0 in SC

    Broadcasters to withdraw petitions challenging Trai on NTO 2.0 in SC

    Mumbai: The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and its members are likely to withdraw their petitions challenging the New Tariff Order (NTO) 2.0 in the Supreme Court, sources told indiantelevision.com. The apex court took up broadcasters’ applications for withdrawal of the petition while hearing the matter on Tuesday.

    Earlier this month, The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had extended the deadline for implementation of the new tariff order (NTO) 2.0 to 1 June. The previous deadline was 1 April.

    Trai had then also allowed broadcasters to revise their reference interconnect offers (RIO) by 28 February and publish the same on their websites. Distribution platform operators (DPOs) were directed to report the distributor retail price and composition of the bouquet of pay channels in compliance with the new regulatory framework by 31 March. Those who have already submitted can revise their RIOs by 31 March.

    In response to the earlier deadlines, broadcasters had come out with their new RIOs in October-November last year, preferring to pull their popular channels out of the bouquets instead of reducing the price to or below Rs 12. Though still above the cap, many of these prices were revised down later.

    Pertinent in this regard is Trai’s intention to form a committee with representation from leading pay-TV industry associations to ensure smooth implementation of the New Regulatory Framework 2020. In a letter dated 22 December 2021, the regulator has asked the IBDF, All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), and the DTH association to nominate a maximum of two representatives to be part of the implementation committee.

    Prior to this, Trai had in November 2021, notified stakeholders that NTO 2.0 implementation would be delayed until 1 April. Speculations regarding backroom parleys between the telecom regulator and broadcasters to end the impasse have also been in the news lately. 

    This copy will be updated.

  • 5G auctions likely in May

    5G auctions likely in May

    Mumbai: 5G spectrum auction in India is expected to be held in May this year subject to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) submitting its final recommendations on various aspects of the sale process by March, said a senior official of the telecom department.

    Trai is expected to respond to DoTs request for recommendations on modalities such as reserve price, band plan, block size, and quantum of spectrum to be auctioned by next month, following which the department will initiate the auction.

    “Trai has indicated that they will send it (recommendations) by March. Thereafter, it will take us a month to make a decision around it,” Telecom secretary K Rajaraman told PTI.

    Rajaraman also informed that the DoT has already selected MSTC as the auctioneer for the upcoming auction.

    Meanwhile, the telecom regulator has asked telecom and satcom companies to submit any additional comments before 15 February, especially with details around methods for valuation of the spectrum. While both stakeholders have argued for a steep cut in the band price, they remain divided on other aspects including the auction of a high-frequency range of 27.5- 28.5 GHz.

  • Trai asks sparring telcos, satcom players to provide submission on 5G auction by 15 Feb

    Trai asks sparring telcos, satcom players to provide submission on 5G auction by 15 Feb

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), which is expected to submit its final recommendations on various aspects of 5G spectrum auctions in March, has asked telecom companies and stakeholders to provide their additional submissions before 15 February, especially with details around methods for valuation of the spectrum.

    The submissions were invited during an open house discussion held by Trai, where telecom operators and satellite players remained sharply divided.

    According to the PTI release, the telecom regulator had earlier recommended the base price of the proposed 5G spectrum in 3,300-3,600 MHz band at about Rs 492 crore per MHz unpaired spectrum on a pan-India basis. Telecom operators interested in buying radiowaves for 5G will have to shell out a minimum of Rs 9,840 crore on a pan-India basis to buy spectrum in the 3,300-3,600 Mhz band. If the telecom operators’ demands are met then the medium band spectrum should cost them only Rs 492 crore at the base price.

    Major telecom players suggested that Trai should fix the base price of the 5G spectrum in mid-band and high-frequency bands using international benchmarks. They recommended the regulator to map international pricing benchmarks at the telecom circle level by using a matrix of average revenue per user, GDP of the country, etc.

    Meanwhile, satellite players opposed telecom operators’ demand to auction a high-frequency range of 27.5- 28.5 GHz.

    Satcom players are of the opinion that as per global practice, 27.5-28.5 GHz have never been auctioned, and hence should be allocated administratively in India as well. Providing in-flight services and maritime connectivity to 500 vessels in the 28 GHz and allocation of this frequency will adversely impact the company’s operation, they said.

  • Barc taken steps to improve corporate governance & streamline processes: Anurag Thakur

    Barc taken steps to improve corporate governance & streamline processes: Anurag Thakur

    Mumbai: The minister of information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur informed the Lok Sabha on matters concerning Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India ratings and new tariff order (NTO) 2.0 during a session on Thursday.

    The minister was queried whether Barc ratings were marred in serious charges of manipulation and what actions it proposed to ensure robust data.

    The minister told the Lok Sabha that Barc has taken various steps on corporate governance and on streamlining of processes and their transparency. “The management involved in the ratings generation process has been institutionally removed. The oversight and technical committees within Barc have been strengthened for data validation and methodology. The access protocols for data have been revamped and tightened,” he said.  

    Ever since news reports published in October 2020 expressed concerns related to TV ratings, “Barc has responded by actively pursuing action against those involved in tampering the samples and had filed 11 FIRs through its vendors across many states,” stated Thakur.

    The I&B ministry has also instituted a committee led by Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati to study the concerns related to television rating points (TRPs) and address them in light of fresh recommendations by Trai and technological advancements.

    The I&B minister was also asked whether it has come to the notice of the government that some broadcasters are tweaking NTO 2.0 and keeping their popular channels out of the bouquet. Subsequently, whether this has led to viewers paying 50 per cent more in tariffs and in turn if the government has also fixed a maximum price for channels outside of a bouquet.

    On the matter of NTO 2.0, the minister said that broadcasters have declared the maximum retail price of their popular channels above Rs 12 and are offering such channels on an a-la-carte basis.

    “As per the implementation plan of new regulatory framework 2020 issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) the distribution platform operators (DPOs) are required to declare rates of channels and bouquets offered to consumers by 31 January and thereafter offering to the consumer will be made available from 1 April. Therefore, final prices for the consumers can be ascertained after 31 March when the choice of channels are exercised by consumers,” he explained.